High suicide rates in ‘tough guy’ construction trade prompt industry to start talking

Eating only a banana for breakfast, Francisco Gomez, 28, starts his five- to six-day workweek in Phoenix at 5 a.m. “Work can be pretty stressful,” Gomez said. “There’s just so much pressure, you feel like things are your fault and you feel like you can’t do nothing about it.” Gomez, a father of two, has worked in construction for about five years as a fire stopper, filling gaps between rooms and spraying fire retardants to help prevent fires. “If the building were to catch on fire,…

Apr 23, 2025 - 14:44
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High suicide rates in ‘tough guy’ construction trade prompt industry to start talking
Eating only a banana for breakfast, Francisco Gomez, 28, starts his five- to six-day workweek in Phoenix at 5 a.m. “Work can be pretty stressful,” Gomez said. “There’s just so much pressure, you feel like things are your fault and you feel like you can’t do nothing about it.” Gomez, a father of two, has worked in construction for about five years as a fire stopper, filling gaps between rooms and spraying fire retardants to help prevent fires. “If the building were to catch on fire,…